“But, I never really wanted to do this!” Annie exclaimed when I asked her how she ended up in her management position. A hard worker, she was identified early on by higher-ups as someone with potential. She never really had to ask for a promotion because people always talked her into applying for a position, or when new units sprang up, she was just put in charge.

Luck Only Gets You So Far

On one hand, Annie was very lucky. She was in a company that valued her abilities and actively promoted women. She never had to go through the rigors of competing for advancement. She didn’t have to figure out how to get support, make a move, put together a proposal or market herself to the top brass. Annie had “that something” — that natural leadership quality that people couldn’t put their finger on, but they knew it when they saw it, and they saw it in her. And over and over again as she rose through the ranks, she proved them right with a stellar performance that got her more, bigger and better leadership opportunities.

On the other hand, Annie didn’t feel so lucky. She wasn’t happy. Actually, she hated what she was doing. It became harder and harder for her to come to work every day. Eighteen years had gone by, and she had never felt so low. Health challenges were popping up from the unrelenting stress of a global leadership position. She had no life outside of work. She was lost and unsure what to do about it.

Don’t Get Lost In Your Career

What road do you take when you want to go to a new destination? You pull out a map and determine where you are and where you want to go. You pick the best route to get you there and you move in the right direction.

The same is true for finding a career destination that gives your career and your life meaning. As Annie found out, when you leave your career destination to chance, it can be easily hijacked. You can spend years going somewhere you never wanted to be. In short, Annie’s career had been created by accident, rather than deliberately by her. She had never known (or had forgotten) the power to create a career that’s right for her resides with her. You are ultimately responsible for your career happiness and well-being.